Creep forming a metallic component

Abstract

A method of creep forming a metallic component is provided. The method includes the steps of applying static loading and cyclic loading and/or vibration to the component during the creep forming thereof to act as a source of additional energy.

1. A method of creep forming a metallic component including the steps of applying a static loading and a cyclic loading to the component during the creep forming thereof, wherein the magnitude of the cyclic loading is less than or equal to 10% of the magnitude of the static loading, wherein the cyclic loading has a frequency of 1 Hz to 1,000 Hz. 
     
     
       2. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 1  wherein the magnitude of the cyclic loading is less than or equal to 5% of the magnitude of the static loading. 
     
     
       3. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 2  wherein the magnitude of the cyclic loading is less than or equal to 2% of the magnitude of the static loading. 
     
     
       4. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 3  wherein the magnitude of the cyclic loading is less than or equal to 1% of the magnitude of the static loading. 
     
     
       5. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 1  wherein a portion of the cyclic loading is vibration. 
     
     
       6. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 1  wherein the cyclic loading has a frequency of 10 Hz to 100 Hz. 
     
     
       7. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 6  wherein the cyclic loading has a frequency of 20 Hz to 50 Hz. 
     
     
       8. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 1  wherein the metallic component is formed from a metal alloy. 
     
     
       9. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 8  wherein the metal alloy is an aluminium alloy. 
     
     
       10. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 1  wherein the metallic component is creep formed during a final stage of heat treatment of a material from which the metallic component is formed. 
     
     
       11. A method of creep forming a metallic component including the steps of applying a static loading and a cyclic loading to the component during the creep forming thereof, wherein the magnitude of the cyclic loading is less than or equal to 10% of the magnitude of the static loading, wherein the cyclic loading is applied to a discrete portion of the component and the cyclic loading is applied to successive portions of the component until substantially the whole component has been creep formed. 
     
     
       12. A method of creep forming a metallic component as in  claim 11  in which a said discrete portion of the component is a zone of structural reinforcement of the component. 
     
     
       13. A method of creep forming a metallic component including the steps of:
 applying a static loading on the order of 350 MPa; and 
 simultaneously with the application of said static loading, applying a cyclic loading at a frequency on the order of 40 Hz and a loading on the order of ±5 MPa to the component during the creep forming thereof. 
 
     
     
       14. A method of creep forming a metallic component according to  claim 13 , wherein said metallic component is an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
       15. A method of creep forming a metallic component according to  claim 14 , wherein said aluminum alloy is 7150 W51 aluminum alloy.